Over a couple of days, the Australian team had intense practice sessions at the ICC Academy, ahead of their all-important semifinal clash against India, at the Dubai International Stadium. In fact, on the eve of the match, the Australian players made their way to the Academy around 30-45 minutes before the scheduled time.
Just scratch the surface and one can understand the gist of the bigger picture. Until now, all of Australia’s 2025 Champions Trophy games were held in Pakistan. So, they would want to have a feel of the overall conditions in Dubai.
Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne were the first two batters to participate in the training workshop. Among the duo, Labuschagne attempted switch-hits and reverse sweeps. Will Labuschagne bring out those innovative shots in the actual game in order to negate the Indian spinners’ threat is anyone’s guess. Meanwhile, Cooper Connelly, who was added to the squad in place of the injured Matt Short, bowled a long spell. Australia would be definitely considering playing the spinning all-rounder in the prevaIling conditions.
Spencer Johnson, the left-arm pace bowler, bowled at full tilt. He summoned quick spells, dealing in a diet of hard lengths and very full deliveries. With Rohit Sharma, the India skipper, having some issues against the left-arm angle, the pace bowler might slip in a yorker early on in the innings. Nathan Ellis, his pace colleague, bowled with a shorter run and his lengths were mostly on the shorter side. Most likely he was trying his go-to deliveries: Cross seamers.
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After a while, Travis Head, India’s nemesis, also practiced at the academy ground. In the net session, too, he showcased the kind of mindset that he is renowned for. A couple of times Head was beaten on the outside edge. There were also occasions when Head ended up defending with his bottom hand off the handle. However, he seems to have a delete button fitted inside the caverns of his brain. As soon as Head got the opportunity to play a shot, he latched onto it in a jiffy. Just one thought flashed in the mind: ‘Oh! That is quintessential Travis Head.’
As their net practice neared its completion, yours truly also began to wonder how many times have Australia started out as an underdog in a 50-over ICC event versus India? Ever since the commencement of the 1992 World Cup, one can only think of the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal when India seemed like the clear favourites against their bugbear. It is true that India were also expected to emerge triumphant in the 2023 World Cup final, but Australia also had come into that game with momentum.
Australia also had enough players in the ranks who had tasted success in ICC finals. Compared to that set-up, this side is missing some of its key jigsaws, which include Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green and the now retired Marcus Stoinis and David Warner. Having said that, it isn’t prudent to completely rule out Australia’s chances in an ICC event. The Steve Smith-led side has nothing to lose as India are tipped to win this encounter. And that could just help Australia to punch above their weight. That the curator won’t employ a used pitch could also even out the contest to some extent.
The words of Australia’s lead spinner, Adam Zampa, sum up the side’s mindset: “Personally, I don’t think I’m bowling quite at my best but I like to think the beauty about me, when I’m not quite at my best and not feeling that great out there, is my ability to still contribute and take those big wickets.”
Also Read: Australia v India: No mere game of cricket
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